Initiative:
Rhade 22
Gregory Shadowbane 19
Ignacious Throckmorton 11
Zo 10
Creature 9
Zo draws her rapier and quickly moves 30 feet back toward the group -- toward the paladin, in particular. "There's a welcoming committee," she calls out in warning.
The creature bursts out from underneath the collapsed gateway doors, eight mottled-green tentacles flailing about in search of prey. It looks like a giant, segmented worm with countless legs propelling it forward like some mutant caterpillar. It rushes towards the retreating Zo, and strikes out, but is unable to connect with the dexterous rogue.
Instinct's take over as Zo comes running from a creature bursting from the ruins. "BEATUS!" Father Meghdad shouts the invocation, calling upon Sarenrae to protect his companions.
Rhade moves forward and then cuts loose with an arrow at Zo's attacker.
Gregori starts running twards Zo at full speed. [ooc] Taking a double move to get 40' closer.
"Cover me!"
Cordelia sees the creature burst from the hole behind Zo and charge at her. She curse and dashes forward to aid her companion , drawing her scimitar as she goes in case it is needed.
Aware of the approach of her allies, Zo stands her ground and awaits their arrival, focusing all her energies on dodging the creature's attacks.
Ignacious strolls forward 20', waving his wand. "Let us not waste too much time on these monstrosities, we have a wizard to defeat!"
Magic Missile: 2d4+2=5
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Initiative:
Rhade 22
Gregory Shadowbane 19
Father Meghdad 17
Ignacious Throckmorton 11
Zo 10
Creature 9
Cordelia Crichton 9
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) DC 20
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) DC 25
Rhade moves forward and then cuts loose with an arrow at Zo's attacker. The projectice buries itself in the creature's side, but barely causes it to loose a step.
Gregori starts running twards Zo at full speed. "Cover me!"
Instinct's take over as Zo comes running from a creature bursting from the ruins. "BEATUS!" Father Meghdad shouts the invocation, as he steps up, calling upon Sarenrae to protect his companions. Everyone in the party (except for Zo), feels as their senses sharpen and the world slides into crystal-clear focus. The world suddenly seems heartbreakingly beautiful, suffused with a warm, golden glow.
Ignacious strolls forward 20', waving his wand. "Let us not waste too much time on these monstrosities, we have a wizard to defeat!" Gold and silver flashes streak forth from the halfling's wand, whizzing past you with the sound of a jingling purse of coins, and strike the creature's head.
Aware of the approach of her allies, Zo stands her ground and awaits their arrival, focusing all her energies on dodging the creature's attacks.
Having caught up to the rogue, the creature strikes at it with its tentacles. Zo seems caught in a whirlwind of flailing appendages oozing a sickly poison. She deftly avoids them all, contorting in order to avoid the creature's attacks. One hits and although she momentarily feels her arm begin to grow numb, the feeling soon wears off.
Cordelia sees the creature burst from the hole behind Zo and charge at her. She curse and dashes forward to aid her companion.
"Carrion Crawler, watch the tentacles they can paralyse if they hit!" Rhade warns the others as he heads on towards the monster.
He fires another arrow at the monster hoping he has time to switch weapons and close in if needed.
Gregori coninues his run straight forward .
"Zo, fall back!!"
Edit to follow the paladin's instructions (since he has initiative on me and all):
Hearing the paladin shout, Zo suddenly ducks and runs back toward her comrades.
Ignacious strides forward 20 feet and again waves his wand: Magic Missile! Dmg:
2d4+2=8
Meghdad advances and pulls his scimitar from his belt, ready to battle the foul creature.
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"Carrion Crawler, watch the tentacles they can paralyse if they hit!" Rhade warns the others as he heads on towards the monster. He fires another arrow at the monster hoping he has time to switch weapons and close in if needed. The arrow barely scratches the crawler's tough hide, causing minimal damage.
Gregori coninues his run straight forward up another 40 ft. "Zo, fall back!!"
Meghdad advances and pulls his scimitar from his belt, ready to battle the foul creature.
Ignacious strides forward 20 feet and again waves his wand: Magic Missile! Once again the wand flashes silver and gold, sending coin-shaped projectiles streaking towards the carrior crawler. They impact without fail in the creature's horrid face, but the harm is minimal.
Hearing the paladin shout, Zo suddenly ducks and runs back toward her comrades.
The carrion crawler, seeing its prey escaping, charges the group in an attempt to reach Zo. It rushes past Rhade and slams into Father Meghdad, pushing him back a few steps and knocking the wind out of him a bit. Its mottled tentacles momentarily reach towards Zo, but when it realizes that it can't reach the rogue, it turns its attention to the ranger next to it. It lashes one of his tentacles towards Rhade, but the blow simply bounces off the half-elf's shirt.
Initiative:
Round 1
Cordelia Crichton 9
Round 2
Rhade 22
Gregory Shadowbane 19
Father Meghdad 17
Ignacious Throckmorton 11
Zo 10
Creature 9
Cordelia Crichton 9
Ignacious strides to M10 and again waves his wand: Damage: 2d4+2=5
"Will one of you hit it repeatedly, please? Preferably with someone sharp and violent!"
"OOOF!," Meghdad gasps as the creature collides into him knocking him back. Not easily shaken the priest thrusts his free hand forward and calling upon Sarenrae's influance of fire shouts, "Igneus Manuum!" Searing flames leap from his fingers to engulf the creature infront of him.
Rhade leaps back out of the reach of the beast as he pulls another arrow out to fire at the monster but misses.
The Paladin breaks his run as the creature advances, stepping forward to greet it with a rising stroke of razor sharp steel.
1d20+8=26, 1d8+2=9
Zo dives and tumbles around the creature, coming up behind it and stabbing it with her rapier.
Damage (1d6=2) ; Sneak attack damage (2d6=5)
Zo dives and tumbles around the creature, coming up behind it and stabbing it with her rapier.
Damage (1d6=2) ; Sneak attack damage (2d6=5)
Round 1
Cordelia moves forward and turns, unleashing a bolt of flame from her unadorned hand.
Heavenly Fire at Carrion Crawler (Ranged Touch Attack into Melee). (1d20+3+1-4=14)
Heavenly Fire Damage. (1d6+1=7)
Round 2
She holds her ground and lets loose another fiery bolt, her nails waving patterns in the air as she calls it forth.
Heavenly Fire at Carrion Crawler (Ranged Touch Attack into Melee). (1d20+3+1-4=9)
Heavenly Fire Damage. (1d6+1=2)
Round 1
Cordelia moves forward and turns, unleashing a bolt of flame from her unadorned hand.
Heavenly Fire at Carrion Crawler (Ranged Touch Attack into Melee). (1d20+3+1-4=14)
Heavenly Fire Damage. (1d6+1=7)
Rhade shoulders his bow and draws his blades intending to close in on the creatures rear and try and distract it from the others.
Rhade shoulders his bow and draws his blades intending to close in on the creatures rear and try and distract it from the others.
Rhade pulls back and shoulders his bow before drawing his paired blades before moving around to the rear of the monster planning to attack it the next chance he gets.
Initiative:
Round 2
Cordelia Crichton 9
Round 3
Rhade 22
Gregory Shadowbane 19
Father Meghdad 17
Ignacious Throckmorton 11
Zo 10
Creature 9
Cordelia Crichton 9
Cordelia moves forward and turns, unleashing a bolt of flame from her unadorned hand. It hits the crawler full in the side, but the flames seem to melt off the creature without having any effect.
Rhade leaps back out of the reach of the beast as he pulls another arrow out to fire at the monster but misses.
The Paladin breaks his run as the creature advances, stepping forward to greet it with a rising stroke of razor sharp steel. It cuts deep into the creature, nearly severing one of its paralyzing tentacles.
"OOOF!," Meghdad gasps as the creature collides into him knocking him back. Not easily shaken the priest thrusts his free hand forward and calling upon Sarenrae's influance of fire shouts, "Igneus Manuum!" Searing flames leap from his fingers to engulf the creature in front of him. It shrieks as the flames engulf it, its tentacles spasming in pain.
Ignacious strides forward and again waves his wand. "Will one of you hit it repeatedly, please? Preferably with someone sharp and violent!"
Zo dives and tumbles around the creature, coming up behind it and stabbing it with her rapier. Sadly the thrust goes wild and misses the carrion crawler completely.
The carrion crawler desperately strikes about it with its tentacles, trying to subdue its enemies surrounding it. Although some of its tentacles miss their targets, enough get through your defenses and manage to touch the skin. Zo, Gregori and Father Meghdad suddenly go rigid, and the creature moves in towards Rhade to bring him down text.
Initiative:
Round 2
Cordelia Crichton 9
Round 3
Rhade 22
Gregory Shadowbane 19
Father Meghdad 17
Ignacious Throckmorton 11
Zo 10
Creature 9
Cordelia Crichton 9The carrion crawler desperately strikes about it with its tentacles, trying to subdue its enemies surrounding it. Although some of its tentacles miss their targets, enough get through your defenses and manage to touch the skin. Zo, Gregori and Father Meghdad suddenly go rigid, and the creature moves in towards Rhade to bring him down text. (Full attack: Attack#1 vs. Zo hits AC 17, hit! Zo Fort save 5+1=6, fail! Zo is paralyzed; Attack#2 vs. Gregori hits AC 22, hit! Gregori Fort save 5+8=13, failure! Gregori is paralyzed; Attack#3 vs. Father Meghdad hits AC 14, miss; Attack#4 hits AC 8, miss; Attack #5 hits AC 24, hit! Father Meghdad Fort save 13+3=16, success! Attack#6 hits AC 19, hit! Father Meghdad Fort save 3+3=6, failure; Father Meghdad is paralyzed; 5' Step)
Rhade doesn't bother swapping his weapon as he continues to move away from the approaching monster firing arrow after arrow at it knowing he has to keep it busy for the others sakes.
Seeing his comrades paralyzed by the twitching tentacles, Iggie sighs and uses his wand once more:
Damage: 2d4+2=6
Round 2
Seeing her attack do nothing to the creature, Cordelia's fingers once again trace Arcane movements in the air. She smiles and moves directly towards the creature with her Scimitar poised and ready to strike.
Round 3
Cordelia swings with all of her might at the creature that would resist the Heavenly Fire of Sarenrae, striking a glancing blow against the creature's shell.
Attack Carrion Crawler with Masterwork Scimitar. (1d20+2=22)
Confirm Critical Hit. (1d20+2=5)
Damage. (1d6=1)
Seeing her attack do nothing to the creature, Cordelia's fingers once again trace Arcane movements in the air. She smiles and moves directly towards the creature with her Scimitar poised and ready to strike.
Rhade doesn't bother swapping his weapon as he continues to move away from the approaching monster firing arrow after arrow at it, knowing he has to keep it busy for the others sakes. Sadly the arrow fails to find its mark, ricocheting off the crawler's armor.
Gregory Shadowbane and Father Meghdad stand rooted where they stand, unable to move due to the creature's paralyzing poison.
Seeing his comrades paralyzed by the twitching tentacles, Iggie sighs and uses his wand once more. The coin-shaped charges impact with the sound of a heavy bank vault door slamming shut, causing the creature to shudder. It takes a few more steps towards Rhade, and just when it is about to reach him, collapses. Its tentacles twitch momentarily and then go slack as well and the carrion crawler ceases to move.
Its tentacles twitch momentarily and then go slack as well and the carri'on crawler ceases to move.
Seeing the creature shudder and lie still, Cordelia cautiously approaches the hole the thing crawled out of, both hands up and ready for action and looking around for anything else waiting to ambush them.
Perception Check. (1d20+6=18)
Cordelia cautiously approaches the hole the crawler emerged from. The outer doors of the gate seem to have been used do disguise the creature's lair, and they now lie pushed aside, only partially covering it. Peering over the edge, her weapon at ready, the sorceress notices that it is about 15 ft. deep and between 10 and 15 ft. in diameter. The walls of the pit are sheer, although a few hand holds, in the form of roots and rocks, are available Hundreds of bones and bone fragments lie scattered on the floor of the pit. Most look like animal carcasses, although a few have definite humanoid features. One skeleton of a small humanoid figure draws your particular attention, as it has a large bag next to it with silver and copper coins spilling out of it.
Distracted by the contents of the pit, Cordelia is momentarily surprised as the still in-tact inner doors of the front gate slam shut with a loud bang, and a heavy bolt can be heard being put in place. This is followed by high-pitched, barking laughter from the other side which quickly dies away. Sounds of many small feet scurrying about the inner courtyard quickly fade into the distance.
Ignacious wanders cautiously toward the pit as well. Hearing the slam and the sound of small feet, he sighs, "Damnable fortunes. Half our lot is frozen stiff and the vicious little fiends are aware of our coming. I'm adding this delay to Bargle's tally, I am. That rat owes us quite a reckoning!"
Iggie then casts Detect Magic on the pit and on the vermin's remains.
Iggie then casts Detect Magic on the pit and on the vermin's remains.
Zo's every nerve strains against the paralyzing poison at the knowledge that the two least-qualified members of the group are standing next to probable traps and a courtyard full of kobolds.
As soon as she is able , she gently escorts the two back over to the dead carrion crawler. "Cordelia, you're pretty, but you don't need to be anywhere near pits or traps. Iggie ... you're not even pretty."
Staring down into the pit, Cordelia takes out her rope and hands one end to Ignatious. "Secure this would you, let's see what that thing's been munching on shall we."
She then begins to unwind the bright red sash from around her waist. She holds the clasp, a golden symbol of Sarenrae, in one hand and the end of the rope in the other and jumps off the edge of the pit, just as the gate booms shut. A rosy red light follows her to the bottom of the pit as she floats gently to rest on some old bones.
While the light lingers, she quickly takes stock of the contents of the pit, scooping up the bag of coins and making another quick check to see if anything else catches her attention.
Calling back up to Ignatious she says, "what in the Hells was that bang?" Giving a tug on the rope, she also says "have you secured that rope yet?" At that moment, Zo stcks her head over the edge of the pit.
"Cordelia, you're pretty, but you don't need to be anywhere near pits or traps. Iggie ... you're not even pretty."
Cordelia smiles back up at her. "It's OK, it's just bones and old gear. I'm coming back up now anyway." She grabs the rope and starts to haul herself back up the (now easy) ascent.
Once at the top, she c o c k s her head. "Is that laughter I hear? What is going on?"
Looking about, Cordelia finds thousands of old Korvosan and Magnimaran copper and silver coins , along with 3 gems. In the bag, next to a corpse of a kobold, she also finds a plain brass key which looks like it should fit a smallish lock.
Appraise check DC 5:
Cordelia takes the Garnets and the key and leaves the coins for the moment. "I found these Garnets and this key," she says showing the others. "There are also a lot of silver and copper coins down there as well, but someone else is gonna have to go down and clean them up, they're everywhere." She starts to wind her sash back around her waist while she's talking, securing the clasp as she says, "should we collect them or go and investigate that noise?"
The thought of leaving all of that money down there makes the Merchant side of her cringe, but truth be told she's more interested in bringing Bargle to hell at this point.
When he can finally move, Gregori makes sure Father Megdhad is wll then heads towards his companions.
Meghdad stands frozen watching as the creature falls, mentaly cursing himself for getting so close, especially after Rhade's warning. Time seems endless as the unparalyzed start to explore the creatures lair. When the stiffness melts from his limbs, the priest gasps in a deep breath of air finaly able to move freely again. He stands shaking the tingling sensation from his limbs as the blood begins to flow freely agian and Gregori comes to check on him. "I'll be fine lad, no stiffer now than then when I wake up off the hard ground these days. Should have known better than to get that close. Let's get over to that pit and see whats going on." He joins the others at the side of the pit. "So they know we're here? Then lets knock the door off it's hinges and finally bring justice to that bastard."
"At least he's worried about us. He went to a bit of trouble to bring in that guard dog." Zo nods at the dead creature. "Did you notice the spots where the tentacles join the body? That carrion crawler's not native to Varisia. It's from orcish territory, in the Hold of Belkzen." She looks up appraisingly at the wall of the keep. "If that was his first line of defense, who knows what else we might find in there waiting for us?"
"He's smart to be worried. Once inside we will have to press forward, if we stop he'll have time to regroup. We need to act now!"
"He's smart to be worried. Once inside we will have to press forward, if we stop he'll have time to regroup. We need to act now!"
Zo raises a cautioning hand. "We act now, but we act with care. Those kobolds in the keep don't care if we know they're there; that means they feel more secure than a wall with a hole in it should make them. If we all blunder into a trap and die, then Bargle goes unpunished."
"There are also a lot of silver and copper coins down there as well, but someone else is gonna have to go down and clean them up, they're everywhere." She starts to wind her sash back around her waist while she's talking, securing the clasp as she says, "should we collect them or go and investigate that noise?"
"They already know we're coming, lass, COLLECT THE COINS!" Ignacious' fat little hands rub together excitedly thinking about the lovely wealth just left rotting in a hole. What a waste.
Meghdad scowls at the mage a moment and turns to Zo. "Why don't you and Rhade scout around while greedy grabs his spoils. Gregori, it might be best if your down to protect him while Cordilia and I stay here and cover you from the edge of the pit." Moving to the edge of the hole, the priest unslings his light crossbow and knocks a bolt to the string while watching for movement of the enemy.
"Agreed", Gregori looks at Ignatious with mild distaste, then heads down into the pit, sword drawn and shield ready.
Father Meghdad keeps a close watch with his crossbow drawn, paying particular attention to the hole in the western section of the wall, and the now well-secured front gates. With the help of Cordelia's rope, Ignacious and Gregori clamber down into the the crawler's pit. Bones crunching underfoot, Ignacious manages to gather up all of the coins and with the help of the paladin, hauls it back up to the top.
Once everyone is together again, Ignacious does his best to spread the coins around the entire party to distribute their weight. Once that is accomplished the group must now decide on how to enter Bargle's lair. Through the hole in the wall? Bust down the gate? Climb over the wall? Or perhaps some enterprising soul will devise an even clever entry?